Cannabis is a trending topic, and chances are, people around you have been trying numerous emerging cannabinoids, HHC, THC-O, THCP, Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC, and CBD, to name a few. While the effects consumers achieve from these may sound appealing, you are probably concerned about whether these products are legal.

Whether you live in North Carolina or are headed there for a beautiful scenic hike or a mountain adventure, enjoying cannabinoids will infuse your experience with excitement. Below is the information to do it without breaking local law.

Are Cannabinoids legal?

Cannabinoids have been a topic for debate for the last couple of years, and the cannabis industry itself has been growing rapidly. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant and have potential therapeutic benefits. The legal status of cannabinoids is complicated in the United States and varies depending on the state. Most states allow medical or recreational use of cannabis, but some states forbid both. In this article, we will discuss the legality of cannabinoids in North Carolina, the economic effects of legalization, and the difficulties that still need to be resolved before cannabinoids can be legalized entirely in the state.

The history of cannabis legalization in North Carolina

For now, marijuana is illegal in North Carolina except for very limited medical marijuana. On the other hand, hemp is legal as long as it adheres to federal standards. Hemp is marijuana’s cousin plant with a scarce THC amount – less than .3% by federal law. Hemp doesn’t produce psychoactive effects and is widely consumed by millions daily.

As for the history of cannabis legalization in North Carolina, it has been a changing process. In 1977, North Carolina decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis—0.5 ounces or less. And reduced the punishment to a maximum fine of $200 amid a brief wave of decriminalization that affected the nation. The state introduced a law to use hemp extracts to treat epilepsy in 2014, but the House of Committee didn’t favor it.

The North Carolina Senate passed a medical marijuana bill on June 6, 2022, but the House of Representatives did not vote on the measure before it was adjourned for the year. Because of this inactivity, North Carolina was still one of only 11 states in the U.S. without a medicinal cannabis program.

In 2023 a measure to legalize medicinal marijuana in North Carolina was passed by a legislative committee on Tuesday. According to media sources, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 3, the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act, with minimal debate among senators. If enacted, the law would make it legal for anyone with one or more qualifying severe medical diseases, such as cancer, ALS, or Parkinson’s disease, to consume cannabis for therapeutic purposes.

The conservative political climate of the state and worries about the unfavorable effects of legalization are probable contributing causes to North Carolina’s cautious stance on marijuana legalization.

Benefits of cannabinoids

Cannabinoids, chemicals found in cannabis plants, have numerous potential advantages. They interact with the Endocannabinoid system, which is a significant cell signaling system in our body responsible for many critical bodily functions such as sleep, appetite, mood, etc. Cannabinoids can activate endocannabinoid receptors and produce various effects. While research about those effects is still in its infancy, consumer reports show that many have benefited from famous cannabinoids like CBD.

The legal cannabinoids in North Carolina

CBD

While marijuana remains a big ‘no’, residents and visitors of North Carolina can freely use many hemp-derived products. CBD has been available in North Carolina for several years now, and it’s one of the first cannabinoids to emerge on the legal cannabis market.

CBD is non-impairing and comes in numerous forms, such as softgels, gummies, tinctures, and even topicals such as CBD creams and ointments. Not to confuse it, CBD derived from marijuana is still illegal in North Carolina, but hemp-derived one is legal.

Hemp extracts containing less than 0.9% THC and at least 5% CBD are legal for patients with uncontrollable epilepsy to own and utilize. Other customers can buy CBD made from hemp with a THC content of less than 0.3%. Anything with higher THC than that is classified as marijuana and is prohibited for general consumer use in North Carolina.

Delta 8 THC

Delta 8 is a famous THC variation that offers fewer side effects and less psychoactive experience than marijuana-derived THC. Delta 8 THC is a product of altering CBD molecules and converting them. While less impairing than traditional THC, delta 8 can still produce psychoactive symptoms, which is why some states have criminalized it, but it remains legal in North Carolina.

HHC

HHC is a relatively new cannabinoid on the market, and it’s also psychoactive and thought to be stronger than THC and offer longer-lasting results. HHC products come in various forms including softgels, gummies, and smokables that you can freely buy and consume in North Carolina.

Delta 9 THC

You may be surprised to hear that delta 9 THC is also legal in North Carolina, but only when derived from hemp and when it makes up only .3% of a product. You can buy and consume hemp-derived delta 9 THC products in North Carolina, and as long as the THC content doesn’t exceed .3%, you won’t be breaking local law.

Future

Despite the potential advantages of legalizing cannabinoids, several obstacles remain to be addressed. The conservative political climate in North Carolina is one of the key obstacles, and it could be challenging to enact cannabis legalization legislation.

Concerns about the adverse effects of legalization, such as a rise in drug usage and impaired driving, may delay development. Yet, it’s likely that North Carolina may ultimately join the list of states that have legalized marijuana as its advantages become clearer. And increasingly, people learn about its benefits and get over the stigma surrounding it.

The final thoughts

While marijuana remains illegal in North Carolina, residents and visitors have endless options for hemp-derived cannabis products. Luckily, hemp manufacturers have been very creative and invented exciting and innovative cannabis products. As a rule of thumb, if a product contains less than .3% THC, it’s free for consumption in North Carolina. However, we encourage you to always check local laws before consuming any cannabis products.

Now that you’re probably excited to get started on your hemp journey, browse our wide inventory of organic cannabinoid products, and we’ll deliver them straight to your door in North Carolina.